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Shirley M. Sherrod, Executive DirectorShirley Sherrod is co-founder and Executive Director for the Southwest Georgia Project. She is a graduate of Albany State University with a degree in Sociology and has a Master's degree in Community Development from Antioch University. Mrs. Sherrod is a former Georgia State Director of Rural Development for the United States Department of Agriculture.
She became the subject of a controversy when edited remarks were used to force her to resign. However, upon review of the complete unedited video in full context, the NAACP, White House officials, and Tom Vilsack, and the United States Secretary of Agriculture; apologized for the firing and Sherrod was offered a new position. She currently serves on the boards of Rural Advancement Foundation International, Rural Development Leadership Network and the Albany Chamber of Commerce. |
Amber M. Bell, Program DirectorAmber Bell is Program Director for the Southwest Georgia Project. Amber is a 2010 graduate of Armstrong Atlantic State University, and went on to Georgia Southern University where she received a Master's in Public Health from the Jiann Ping Hsu College of Public Health in 2013. While at Georgia Southern, she served as Research Assistant and Project Coordinator of the CHANGES Project for the Rural Health Research Institute.
Amber joined the SWGPs team in 2013 as Project Coordinator and in 2015 she was selected as a 2015-2016 Maya Wiley Fellow. The Maya Wiley Fellowship program celebrates and supports grassroots leaders seeking to achieve racial equity through structurally transformative policy strategies and campaigns. |
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Ricky O. Dollison, Agricultural SpecialistRicky Dollison brings 5 years of experience as an agriculture specialist assisting new and beginning farmers to increase participation in USDA programs to bear on this work. He has developed working relationships with local farmers as well as a variety of local and regional FSA agency personnel.
Mr. Dollison is a fourth generation farmer who profitably farms 200 acres in row crops, has a growing hog operation and is able to work well with other producers and USDA agencies. Mr. Dollison is a member of the Farm Journal Foundations Farm Team Program. The Farm Team is a national network of U.S. farmers who are passionate about the role of agriculture in addressing hunger around the world. Farm team members engage policy makers promoting a national commitment to global agricultural development in U.S. foreign policy. |
Karen J. Lawrence, Outreach and Recruitment SpecialistKaren Lawrence is a native of Albany, Georgia and a graduate of Albany Senior High School and Albany Technical College, she has continuing education courses in Human Services from both Albany State University and Darton College. Ms. Lawrence served as Parent Involvement/ Volunteer Specialist for Head Start in Albany.
Ms. Lawrence came to Southwest Georgia Project in 2006 as a Community Organizer. She continues to work with the Human Rights Commission for SRBWI, empowering women to work in their communities for change. She also works with Women in Agriculture (WIA) and socially disadvantaged farmers to increase sustainable agriculture and agri-business development. |
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Leiandra N. Dollison , Agriculture SpecialistLeiandra Dollison is a native of Tifton,Georgia and serves as Agricultural Specialist for Southwest Georgia Project. She has spent over a decade supporting the growth of team members in a variety of industries. Her servant heart extends to assisting upcoming farmers in their participation in USDA programs.
In 2014, she followed in her father’s footsteps by continuing her family’s legacy of farming and by building the network and knowledge of agriculture on a local level through social media and workshops designed to make farmers more aware of the benefits of working with other producers and the resources available to them. Ms. Dollison is working to become more certified in the area of Agriculture. She currently is certified as a USDA Feed Operator and has a network with various farmers to support the mission of the Southwest Georgia Project and agriculture as a whole. |
Gail F.Morman, Accountant
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Gail Morman is a native Albanian. She serves as the Accountant for Southwest Georgia Project. Ms. Morman is a graduate of Albany Technical College with an Associates Degree in Accounting. She is currently studying accounting at Albany State University. Gail joined the Southwest Georgia Project team in 2015 with more than 15 years of experience.
Prior to joining the team, Ms. Morman served as Senior Accountant, Purchasing Agent, Acting Finance Manager, Payroll Specialist, and Payroll Clerk for Tuner Jobs Corps Center. |
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